Why Vanderbilt Law -Vanderbilt Law School

A Unique Legal Education

While Vanderbilt Law offers all of the traditional elements that comprise an elite law school education, we pride ourselves on features that, working together, offer unique advantages for students and alumni seeking lifelong professional success and fulfillment.

Small by Design

Our deliberately small class size, coupled with significant resources, offer substantial benefits: incomparable access to faculty, best-in-class career, academic, and student services, and a close-knit student experience among them.

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J.D. Class of 2026

Karli Tellis

"When you come to Vanderbilt, the community is shared. It’s very strong academics, very strong professors, and very strong friendships. Anyone’s going to take time to talk and answer questions or just chat.”

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J.D. Class of 2025

Billy Black

“It was so easy for me to find my people here, I was almost surprised by it. I expected there to be more of a barrier to entry (as an older law student) but everybody’s been really welcoming."

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LL.M. Class of 2025

Cenxue Wang

"Small class design was one of the critical issues I was considering when choosing a school. We get along with each other very well, I think that is one of the most fantastic things about Vanderbilt.”

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Career-Focused

Our reputation, location, and experienced career services department offers several unique advantages, including individualized career advising, an assigned career counselor for each student, and specialized programs for those interested in judicial clerkships and public interest careers. The result is truly nationwide placement each year.

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Career Development at Vanderbilt Law

In this video, students discuss how Vanderbilt’s Career Services Office, professors, and alumni helped them secure clerkships, pursue public interest work, and explore opportunities in every market across the U.S. From one-on-one mentorship to lifelong alumni connections, Vanderbilt empowers students to aim high and hit the ground running after graduation.

Collaborative Community

Our small, close-knit community truly sets Vanderbilt apart from other law schools. Faculty, students, and staff collaborate on research projects and publications. Classmates celebrate each others success in the classroom and on the job search. Our focus on promoting collaborative behavior leads to a rich experience during school and a successful career after graduation.

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Academic Excellence

Our professors are leaders in their fields of research and passionate educators, bringing the same level of sophistication and attention to the classroom as they bring to their scholarship.

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Professors in Conversation

In this Vanderbilt Law series, students engage in meaningful dialogues with our esteemed faculty. Each episode explores the research, teaching, and insights of professors across legal disciplines, offering a glimpse into their expertise and contributions to the field.

Personalized Experience

Our students enjoy the flexibility, support, and guidance to pursue their interests on their own terms. A flexible curriculum, numerous program and clinical offerings, and dedicated career and academic support teams help students chart their law school journey.

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Curricular Opportunities

Legal Clinics & Experiential Learning

Public Interest

Journals & Publications

Student Organizations

J.D. Program Curriculum

LL.M. Program Curriculum

Dual-Degree Programs

Fully Engaged

Our students have remarkably varied backgrounds, experiences, and professional goals, and they share a common commitment to challenge themselves and each other to excel as legal professionals. They engage with their community and build relationships in an environment that fosters healthy debate and discussion.

Visit the J.D. Class Profile

Respectfully Dissent

This series brings together experts in various fields of law to debate relevant issues in today’s legal climate. Previous installments have focused on topics such as antitrust law and originalism.